Shea Nut

A shea nut is the seed of the shea tree, which is native to Africa. Shea nuts are high in fat and are used to make shea butter, which has many uses in food and cosmetics. 

Characteristics

Shea nuts are greenish, have a strong smell, and emit moisture 

They are the seeds of a fruit that is initially green but turns yellowish green or brown at maturity 

The fruit is a 1 or 2-seeded ellipsoid berry 

Uses

Shea butter is used as a moisturizer, salve, or lotion 

It is edible and can be used in food preparation 

Shea butter is sometimes used in the manufacture of chocolate 

Shea butter may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 

Shea tree 

The shea tree is indigenous to African savannahs from Senegal to Sudan, Western Ethiopia and Uganda

It grows on a variety of soils, such as clay, sandy clay, sand, stony soil and laterites

The shea tree contributes to better crop yields by returning organic matter to the soil

Shea butter production 

Shea butter is extracted through an arduous several hours of processing, over 22 steps, to produce 1 kg of the butter